Home › Forum › Ask A Member › 1957 Evinrude Big Twin 35 Skeg interferes with gears. › Reply To: 1957 Evinrude Big Twin 35 Skeg interferes with gears.
I spent some time replying, but that post seems to have vaporized. In any event, I am having trouble understanding how the wrong/damaged driveshaft could have anything to do with the pinion jamming up, at least on this engine. There is nothing in this assembly that holds the driveshaft down that would force the pinion downwards into the gears. I am assuming you have not installed the water pump and the gearcase is off the exhaust housing though. I suppose the driveshaft or bearings could be damaged but seems like you have replaced all of those. What happens if you pull the driveshaft up slightly and try to rotate it?
Seems like you have determined that you don’t have the correct driveshaft thrust washers though, or at least one of them is wrong, this could force the pinion downwards a bit. Are you able to tighten the skeg securely and rotate the driveshaft now? Like Mumbles says, trying to rotate these new components somewhat “dry” will probably not be that smooth, but they should rotate.